I know I'm overstocked atm. And like i said it's temporary and didn't know i wouldn't be able to bring my old tank when i moved here. so just another month and a half and ill be good! lol. and peanut i don't know why ive been saying him. ive meant to say her him just omes naturally. i sexed by the spangles on her face.
Jack Dempsey Growth Problem
- Thread starter Rawrzer
- Start date
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I suspect that you have a case of either bad genetics or just a stunted fish altogether before you even bought it.
I know for sure, from raising several batches of african cichlid fry, form the same litter, some will grow at normal pace, some will grow very slowly, and then there are a rare few that will grow twice as fast as the others... all in the same tank. So this is just proof that some fish get better genes passed on.
as far as the suspicion of stunted growth. the rate at which your oscar grew indicates to me that your water parameters are not that detrimental and are not the cause of your problem (although I'd still agree that only 0ppm of ammonia are acceptable). Considering that you have other fish, that have experienced proper growth rates, it leads me to think that the dempsey was in a bad environment before you even purchased him.
like others have suggested, I'd also suggest to try to improve his diet. I have seen very good growth with hikari products. try feeding them 3 times a day if it falls into your schedule.
I know for sure, from raising several batches of african cichlid fry, form the same litter, some will grow at normal pace, some will grow very slowly, and then there are a rare few that will grow twice as fast as the others... all in the same tank. So this is just proof that some fish get better genes passed on.
as far as the suspicion of stunted growth. the rate at which your oscar grew indicates to me that your water parameters are not that detrimental and are not the cause of your problem (although I'd still agree that only 0ppm of ammonia are acceptable). Considering that you have other fish, that have experienced proper growth rates, it leads me to think that the dempsey was in a bad environment before you even purchased him.
like others have suggested, I'd also suggest to try to improve his diet. I have seen very good growth with hikari products. try feeding them 3 times a day if it falls into your schedule.
thanks for the advice. What other foods do you suggest besides cichlid sticks, cichlid gold, and cichlid staple? the gold and staple are both hikari
I have also used frozen silversides purchased in the freezer section of a petstore, and fillets of tilapia and haddock from the grocery store, the tilapia is a better choice, they love it. another key component that I give my fish is freeze dried shrimp. it helps maintain the digestive tract and enhances red color in fish, plus its very high in protein. I give some spirulina flakes to all of my fish as well.
I wouldn't say that I'm experienced in a wide variety of fish food brands, I used to feed my fish dainichi pellets but they are expensive and I really didn't notice all of the things that people rave about this brand, my fish grow just as well and look just as good with a hikari staple diet.
I experimented with something that worked for my fish and also for my wallet, and I recommend that you give yourself that chance too.
I wouldn't say that I'm experienced in a wide variety of fish food brands, I used to feed my fish dainichi pellets but they are expensive and I really didn't notice all of the things that people rave about this brand, my fish grow just as well and look just as good with a hikari staple diet.
I experimented with something that worked for my fish and also for my wallet, and I recommend that you give yourself that chance too.
I alternate foods for my dempseys almost daily. Hikari staple pellets, freeze dried krill, de-shelled peas, and they even go after the hikari algae wafers I drop in for the bristlenose.
I think I'll definitely try the tilapia.
Have you ever tried hikari sinking carnivore pellets? I was talking to someone once and they raved about them and said they shot his fish up really fast. They're kind of expensive, though
Have you ever tried hikari sinking carnivore pellets? I was talking to someone once and they raved about them and said they shot his fish up really fast. They're kind of expensive, though
It has been my experience that high protein foods are good for growth with baby jacks. Not sure in this case though, the fish may be stunted somewhat. I would try and get him to eat a more varied diet as you want to encourage growth as well as good digestive health.Rawrzer;4618854; said:I think I'll definitely try the tilapia.
Have you ever tried hikari sinking carnivore pellets? I was talking to someone once and they raved about them and said they shot his fish up really fast. They're kind of expensive, though
i had the same problem not tom long ago.i started feeding 3 times a day try to mix your fish diet i kept doing feeders about a 100 a week(not recommended) .also weekly water changes at about 60 %-75%.
try to get a pic up i willing to bet you have a female because i always had trouble getting them to grow.
try to get a pic up i willing to bet you have a female because i always had trouble getting them to grow.
Well actually if you can tell by this one theres one on my JD on here. I started the thread so mine are the first. http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=370277
